Greetings

1. Bonu jornu

   Hello / Good morning / Good day

   Usage

   A greeting for anyone, from morning through the afternoon

   Grammar Note

   Bonu is "good" and jornu is "day". The j is a glide, close to English y

2. Grazzii assai

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   For thanking someone warmly

   Grammar Note

   Grazzii is written with a doubled z. Assai means "very much" and follows the word it strengthens

3. Scusàtimi

   Excuse me

   Usage

   To get someone's attention or to apologise lightly

   Grammar Note

   The imperative ending -ati (plural) also serves as the polite form to one person. When mi is attached after it, the accent mark shows where the stress stays. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Bona sira

   Good evening

   Usage

   A greeting from the late afternoon into the evening

   Grammar Note

   Sira is feminine, so "good" takes the feminine form bona (masculine bonu)

5. Comu stati?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Asks a stranger or an older person how they are

   Grammar Note

   Stati is the 2nd person plural of stari, also used as the polite form to one person; to a friend say Comu stai? Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. A prestu!

   See you soon!

   Usage

   A farewell when you expect to meet again soon

   Grammar Note

   Literally "until soon". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Di nenti

   Don't mention it / You're welcome

   Usage

   The reply to thanks

   Grammar Note

   Literally "of nothing". It is the standard reply to Grazzii

8. Nun sacciu parrari talianu

   I can't speak Italian

   Usage

   Tells people you cannot speak Italian

   Grammar Note

   "Cannot" is nun sacciu plus an infinitive (literally "I don't know how to speak"). Negation is nun, not non. Language names are written in lower case. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Turnu n'autra vota

   I'll come again

   Usage

   Said on leaving a shop or lodging to say you will return

   Grammar Note

   A near future is naturally said with the present tense. Autra is the feminine form agreeing with the feminine noun vota. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Mi sugnu divirtutu assai

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said after an enjoyable time

    Grammar Note

    The perfect of a reflexive verb is built with essiri (sugnu). The form divirtutu is the one used here for the speaker. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Grazzii, a prestu!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    Thanks and goodbye in one breath

    Grammar Note

    Just two set phrases joined by a comma. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

12. Bona notti

    Good night

    Usage

    Said at bedtime or when parting at night

    Grammar Note

    Notti is feminine, so "good" is bona. The plural is also notti, unchanged

13. Nesciu nu mumentu

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Tells your host you are stepping out briefly

    Grammar Note

    The subject iu is dropped. Unstressed vowels are written u, as in mumentu. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

14. Sugnu turnatu

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said on returning from outside

    Grammar Note

    Verbs of movement form the perfect with essiri (sugnu). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

15. Scusati, ora haiu a jiri

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    Used to leave a conversation or gathering politely

    Grammar Note

    "Have to" is aviri a plus an infinitive. Ora is "now"; ura (hour) is a different word. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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